Claussen was summoned from Columbus (Triple-A) late last June and beat the Mets at Shea Stadium in his major league debut. He pitched effectively in 61/3 innings, won the game and a month later was dealt for Aaron Boone. Since the Yankees are talking to the Mariners about Freddy Garcia, a similar fate could await Halsey, who was 6-2 with a 2.52 ERA at Columbus.

Or, he could be the left-handed starter the Yankees don't have but will need in the playoffs.

OK, all that is well and good, but do you really think that Brad Halsey is going to get a chance to start for the Yankees in the playoffs? They have Vazquez, Mussina, Brown, and Lieber. Do you think, barring major injuries or collapse from 2 or those 4 pitchers, that any other pitcher is going to start for the Yankees in the playoffs? I guess if Halsey pitches lights out for the rest of the season, supplanting Contreras as the #5 starter and becomes a Cy Young Award candidate, I guess he might get a start in the playoffs, but that's not going to happen. So I'm not sure what George King (author of the Post article) was thinking when he wrote that.